White lines on Interstate 95 have some drivers squinting

Q: The white lines on Interstate 95 from Hallandale Beach Boulevard to Miami are so faint. Forget the road being rough, why can't they paint the faded lines?

Richard Bergman, Miami

A: All lanes on I-95 from Broward Boulevard to the Golden Glades interchange will be re-striped as part of the express lane construction under way.

The carpool lanes in both directions along this stretch are being converted into express lanes. Another inside lane in each direction also will be converted into an express lane, for a total of two express lanes and four regular lanes in both directions.

The two right lanes in each direction will remain 12 feet wide for trucks. The other lanes will be narrowed to 11 feet. Shoulders will remain the same width, with the exception of some overpasses.

But here's another reason why striping may appear more faded on I-95 in Miami: There are two types of pavement, said Brian Rick, a Florida Department of Transportation spokesman.

North of the Golden Glades, I-95 has asphalt pavement. South of the Golden Glades, it's concrete. The white stripes stand out more on the asphalt than on the concrete.

Rick said the state recently started painting a black "highlight" around the perimeter of each white stripe south of the Golden Glades to make them stand out better on the light gray concrete.

Earlier this year, crews re-striped 18-lane miles of I-95 in Miami-Dade locations the state determined were fading or may fail in the near future.

Q: There is an unused and blocked out left turn lane from either direction of Commercial Boulevard to Hiatus Road in Tamarac. In the afternoon rush hour, there are often up to five cars waiting for the left-turn signal. Are there any plans to open up that unused left turn lane?

Gary Shomberg, Sunrise

A:Broward County traffic engineers are conducting a new study to determine if the opening the second left turn lanes is warranted. The results should be available later this month.

During the last study in 2009, volumes weren't high enough to convert the turn lanes.

In the meantime, while officials await results of the current study, engineers adjusted the signal timing equipment to provide additional green time to the existing left-turn lane to clear the line of traffic.

Q: As you head east on Yamato Road, there are two sets of traffic signals at Dixie Highway. The first signal is just east of the Florida East Coast Railway tracks. The stop line for the first signal is located on the west side of the tracks. The second signal is on the east side of the intersection. If both lights turn red, can motorists advance to the second signal or stop line if there is no one in front of them? Or do they have to stay put at the first signal?